Weight Loss During Initial Chemotherapy Predicts Survival in Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer

Background: Patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) often suffer weight loss, which can be used to predict prognosis. Few reports have assessed the correlation between weight loss during chemotherapy and survival in patients with AGC.

Methods: Fifty-three patients with histologically proven AGC, who started systemic chemotherapy from September 2010 to March 2014, were retrospectively examined for body weight, inflammatory status, and survival. Correlation analyses were performed between weight change and survival. Correlations between weight loss and the patient characteristics were analyzed by stepwise multiple regression analyses.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 64.4 years; 64% of the patients were males. Initial chemotherapy included fluoropyrimidine plus cisplatin (62%), fluoropyrimidine alone (26%), and other medications (12%); 72% of the patients exhibited weight loss during the initial therapy. Poorer mean overall survival and mean progression-free survival were observed in patients with weight loss of higher-than-average values than in those with weight loss of lower-than-average values. Serum C-reactive protein levels were significantly correlated with weight loss.

Conclusions: Weight loss during initial chemotherapy for AGC may predict survival. Systemic inflammation is suggested to be associated with weight loss.